Clyde District Information
Hooray for Clyde
The history of a town is often based around a gold rush, a river, a port, or the centre of a
developing industry. As a starting point, Clyde had none of these—its starting point was
opportunity—an opportunity for new arrivals to get on the land and do the most basic
things—make a living, prove themselves and be recognised.
The story of Clyde reflects the endeavours of its pioneers, its recognition as the landing point
of the Clyde meteorite, and community achievements—the Rural Fire Brigade, sporting clubs,
churches, halls and schools. Its story shows the courage of families to continue in the face of
illness and accident. It has examples of poor choices and their unhappy consequences.
It has achievements we know about, and those we have yet to recognise.Commencing as a settlement
on the Clyde-Berwick Road, North of Patterson’s Road, Clyde ‘moved’ to the
location in the South after the railway line was constructed. The history of the area is the
story of both Clyde, and Clyde North.
In the 1860’s, Melbourne, as the developing centre, was spreading out as surveys were completed
and land sales conducted. Open country, most suitable for sheep and cattle,
to the West and North of the State had been taken up or was controlled as part of large squatting
runs and the push was to small holdings in the North, East and South-East—
areas where there was a reliable rainfall.
For farmers nearer to the centres of population there was the opportunity to be providers of fresh
seasonal produce. For those further out, the difficulties in getting produce to markets, strongly
influenced what they produced, what they farmed, how they lived.
Distance from markets was once a limiting factor for Clyde. The arrival of the railway—
and its later replacement by road transport—proved to be strong influences on the farming
conducted in the area. Changes from grazing to dairying to market gardening and flower growing,
have been due to farmers taking initiative, giving up, trying new technology, persevering,
understanding what markets want, having a vision for their future.
As the area continues to change, there will be little in the landscape to help us visualise
what greeted the early settlers. The names of streets and roads, a few buildings of the earlier
era, will—with photos, and the family histories compiled by those associated with the area—remain
as the only links to those days.
The achievements that Clyde has made as a community, can now include the district leading again
with the establishment of documented on-line history. The Story of Clyde web-page
is a historical record of the district and its achievements and provides those associated
with Clyde with an opportunity to contribute their stories and photos to carry the story further.
To the early settlers, and residents from many generations, thankyou for giving us a reason to
prove ourselves, to have pride and insist on being recognised as Clyde people
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John Campbell, editor of "A Clyde History" 1978
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Tom Klein, John Campbell, and Henry Klein view "A Clyde History" at the School Centenary Celebration in October 2010. |